Meet Sherri Callahan of The Kitty Care Lady in Orange County

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sherri Callahan.

Sherri, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My love of animals started when I was very young, but I didn’t have pets because my mother had a fear of all animals. I started “borrowing” neighbours’ dogs to take for walks and would spend time with friends’ pets. I was actually afraid of cats until I was in my 20’s—-hard to believe now!

On a side note, I did have guinea pigs and a rabbit in my later teenage years.

I started pet sitting after moving from California to Maryland. A friend recommended it because I was helping take care of her kitties. I worked for a pet sitting company for a while and then decided I was ready to start my own business in 2003.

My business grew by word of mouth when I was in Maryland. I’m proud to say that I had some of the same clients for 12 years and thought of their kitties (and clients) as family. Through my cousin, a veterinarian, I was able to learn to give insulin and sq injections and fluids—skills that have proven to be quite useful in caring for kitties (including my own).

I’ve since moved back to California and have moved a couple of times and had to start over, but have been fortunate to have expanded my business each time.

I am now settled in Orange County, CA and am involved in fostering for a cat rescue in addition to my pet sitting business.

Has it been a smooth road?
I feel fortunate that the road has been mostly smooth. I have had and continue to have great clients (both human and feline or otherwise). The hardest part has been moving and starting over. It was emotionally difficult moving from Maryland and from my longtime clients.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the The Kitty Care Lady story. Tell us more about the business.
I’m a Registered Nurse and some of the same knowledge and skills used in caring for humans has helped me in caring for animals.

I care for cats and small animals (and birds and reptiles) in their own homes where they are most comfortable.

My specialty is kitties, especially kitties with medical problems. I have found that there are not many pet sitters in this area who are bonded, insured, and who know how to administer medications for diabetes or asthma.

I think what really sets me apart from others is that I spend time with the animals. I’m not in and out of the house, rushing off to the next pet sit. I don’t overbook myself because I want to be able to spend a minimum of 45 minutes at each pet sit. When kitties are friendly and want company, I will stay for 1 hour or more to play and give loving. I’ve been known to stay for 2 or more hours at a pet sit.

I truly do try to treat each kitty (or small pet) as my own and as I would like my own kitties cared for.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I am hoping to expand my client base, while always providing personalized attention and still being able to spend a minimum of 45 minutes with each kitty/pet.

My goal is to be able to retire from my current full-time job and pet sit full-time.

I expect to see more elderly pets with more medical problems and I am going to obtain certification in pet CPR/first aid because I foresee it being useful for my business and with my own kitties.

Pricing:

• My prices vary from $15 up to $25 per visit, depending on the number of pets and number of visits.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kittycarelady.com/
• Phone: 510-730-0228
• Email: Sherri@kittycarelady.com
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kitty-care-lady-huntington-beach

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.